Nutritional tips by Kate Leinweber, an ADHD/ADD nutrionist at ADDvance Treatment Centres -- A specialized treatment centre and clinic for adults, teens and adolescents with ADHD/ADD

Label Reading

All foods that are in a box, bag, can, or any kind of packaging have been processed and often have food additives that can negatively affect our brain.

How to read a food label?

Food labels have 2 parts

Nutritional Facts

Ingredient List

Nutritional Facts

Nutrition Facts look at the content of only a few nutrients per serving size. It does not look at the overall quality of the product. I never read this part of the label. I care that whole natural ingredients are in the foods I buy.
Important questions to ask that are left unanswered by the Nutritional Facts:

Are the calories devoid of vitamins and minerals? i.e. Empty Calories?

Are there any other minerals besides Sodium?

(there are at least 19 others our bodies need!)

Are the carbohydrates simple or complex?

Are the vitamins listed from the natural source or synthetically derived in a laboratory?

Is there anything toxic added to the product?

Ingredient List

It is in the ingredient list that we can answer the questions above as well as tell us if there is anything added as preservatives that can cause damage to our brain. In general the shorter the ingredients list the better, and if we cannot pronounce any of the words, it probably should not be going into our body.
Food additives to watch out for

High fructose corn syrup (corn derivatives show up 4 times): genetically modified, wreaks havoc on blood sugar levels Natural Flavor: often includes ingredients like MSG or other hidden toxic products BHT: Has been shown to increase hyperactivity and involved in cancer risk

Best Option: Make Your Own!

Super Simple Nut/Seed Bar
Ingredients:

Nut or Seed Butter (use seed if schools aren't allowing nuts)

Rolled Oats

Pumpkin Seeds (high in Zinc)

Sesame Seeds (higher in calcium than Milk)

Honey (local, natural, unfiltered)

Mix all together until it reaches the consistency where you can roll it into a ball or press it in to a baking sheet. Form into whatever shape desired and put in the fridge. No baking required! This is a lot of fun to make especially for kids who get to lick their hands clean after!